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A retail display with a large selection of games for platforms popular in the early 2000s.

Making profit just by doing Japanese translation can already regard you as an artist. The rise of video games can be the most sought-after opportunity for translators. However, it is not always easy as it seems.
Learning Japanese language has become a trend for people who are looking for job opportunities. This is due to the expanding access to opportunities and culture in Japan. Job opportunities expanded rapidly as well.

There are various types of translating jobs that a person could take on. Making profit just by doing Japanese translation can already regard you as an artist. Among all types, translating literature such as manga, books, and articles is said to be the most prolific. Reading translated manga and anime series are rampant in today’s youth. However, the rise of video game translation can be the most sought-after.

In fact, the video games industry has a net worth of $80 billion. Being one of the largest forms of entertainment, developers yearn to make their games accessible to other parts of the world. Localizing popular video games became one of the top priorities of companies in order to expand their markets.

Translating Video Games

While translating video games can sound cool, it is important for a translator to realize that he or she is not merely translating the content.

A professional translator must prove his or her attention to detail and ability to understand context clues and references.

Doing video game translations requires a professional to pick up gaming terminologies. The popular notion is to play the games themselves in Japanese. Few video games such as Nintendo DS are playable in both native Japanese and foreign languages. Old role-playing games are now available on Android and iOS. Switching the language settings of smartphones and tablets can enable the game to be played in Japanese.

It is not needed for translators to be fans of the games themselves. Video game translations requires skill in both terminologies and language composition.

The Trouble with Game Translations Today

Being a game translator can be a prestigious position that one can hold. However, a bad game translation can be the butt of jokes for online communities. Japanese video game translation blunders can become internet sensations that could hurt a game company’s reputation.

The lack of guidance over the translation of both dialogues and story can leave unprepared translators to confusion. They have nothing to hold on to as the basis of their translations, due to lack of patent instructions and conversions. In the end, game developers and companies who do not prioritize translations will suffer from the backlash of customers and players once the video-game is out on the market.

Blunders such as bad translations are already being monitored today. Game companies and developers learned to hire professional and reputable translation services. These people are equipped with enough knowledge to translate game interfaces and story clips efficiently.

A video game is praised not just for the quality of its graphics and cinematography. It is also noted for the quality of its plot, characters and theme. The key to a successful localized video game is the ability of a translator to bring out the best of its narrative.